The 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T is a handy size to buzz around town, pun intended.
But its performance capabilities truly show on the highway, where you can have fun jabbing the PowerShot feature. It adds 30 hp for 15 seconds, allegedly shaving 1.5 seconds off the zero to 100 km/h time, inducing a adrenalin rush in the process. Such a teenage response from someone pushing 71.
Ah, but its launch campaign for the electrified hybrid claimed it was designed to appeal to the inner child of those who can afford to shell out $60,000-plus for the four-seater crossover. Of course, this assumes that demographic grew up and suspended any expressed yearning for fun on wheels.
Power for this AWD fun-mobile comes from an efficient 1.3-litre turbo I-4 plug-in hybrid powertrain, matched to a six-speed auto transmission. Two electric motors, help boost potential output to 288 hp from a purely gas-fuelled 175 hp.
Interestingly, the 15.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is fitted with a refrigerant gas cooling circuit to keep it at its optimum temperature. It enables an all all-electric driving range closing in on 50 kms. On a good day. In normal commuting conditions, I managed a little over 40, which is probably enough for many commute routes. About 2.5 hours on a Level 2 charger will give you another 40-plus kms of eco-friendly driving.
It handles well on the highway and shows no noticeable roll on roads with challenging rural twisties. Its compact size makes it an easy drive around town. Oh yeah, the Hornet’s sensible side provides Intelligent Speed Assist with Traffic Sign Recognition, Driver Attention Assist, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control and much more, as they say in TV ads.
Once parked on your driveway, does it look the performance machine outwardly? It’s sleek in appearance and its gaping grille treatment up front suggests it might be a “pokey little motor”, as my late dad would describe a hot performing small car. The side and rear view don’t really enhance that notion. Not much to differentiate it from many inoffensive contemporary sedans, though the Hornet is marketed as a Crossover Utility Vehicle. Let’s not split hairs over the market segment descriptor, please.
The interior design appealed. There a some premium interior features in the shape of Alcantara seats, with an embroidered Dodge Rhombi logo. The racing-oriented Alcantara seats have what are described as “red crust” accents highlighting the seat perforation.
The flat-bottomed steering wheel suggests performance possibilities. And controls, one enabling a one-touch switch between Sport and Standard drive modes, are at your fingertips on the wheel spokes.
It’s a driver-centric cockpit with centre stack controls and a central display screen and HVAC vents, both tipped slightly towards the pilot at the wheel. I get the first tilt but not sure the vent positioning is designed to impress the co-pilot. That said it wasn’t difficult to redirect the vent positioning to cool down the ‘nagivator’!
The 12.3-inch digital cluster screen is clear and uncluttered thus aiding quick driver glances. The central 10.25-inch central display operates like the smart phone of choice.
Apple fans might find the next line offensive and triggering so perhaps skip to the next paragraph. The system is Android-based and offers a simply operated Uconnect 5 infotainment system. The Driver Profile content and home screens can even be personalized. Amazon Alexa allows users to connect digitally to the Hornet with in-vehicle Alexa virtual assistant with voice capability.
Ok, Applets, open your eyes. Apple CarPlay can be chosen as an operational option. Just try to keep Siri away from Alexa.
The Harman Kardon premium sound system pumps out 465 head-banging watts through 14 speakers and a subwoofer. I have retained a liking for Black Sabbath into my dotage, so that also qualifies me as a potential Hornet owner.
Base price is $61,745. Gulp. Price as tested with exterior camera system and fancy performance features was $71,725.
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